movie
The Process
Director: Jin Okubo
Year: 2019
Plot: A short film revolving around the life of a screenplay writer as he starts his new project. The film is done in a classic Charlie Chaplin style where the music drives the story as much as the action. It is a one man show filmed through two lenses and captures the emotional roller coaster ride that is film making.
Original Title:
The Process
Director:
Jin Okubo
Writer:
Jin Okubo
Producer:
Jin Okubo
Type: movie
Year: 2019
Genres: Short, Drama
Cast:
Jin Okubo
Runtimes:
14
Countries:
Japan
Languages:
English
Color Info:
Black and White
Original Air Date: 30 Mar 2019 (USA)
Akas:
The Process (Japan)
Distributors:
Jin Okubo Films
Synopsis:
The process is a short black and white film about what may be involved in writing a screenplay. This is based on the real life events of many screenplay writers.
The film opens up with the classical music of Charlie Chaplin. A piece from 1917 which is in the public domain field. The darkened room quickly becomes lit to reveal the writer walking around and opening up the curtains to let in the sunlight of the morning sun. Just like his screenplay the day is just beginning. Since this is a silent era style film all the dialogue and monologues are done through title cards.
The pace of the film is presented throughout the film by the pace of the music. When the film score is sped up the action speeds up and when it slows down the action slows down. Though there is not a lot of action that can be seen in the writing of the screenplay it is what is not done that moves the film forward.
The writer sits at the table and writes his screenplay until the daily needs to motivate and inspire kick in. He starts off with tea followed by the modern google search. This is only continued when the writer reaches the half-way point of the film. By this point he is no longer looking for the calming tea to start the day but for something a lot stronger.
The mid point of the film has the writer resorting to alcohol to improve his writing. And though he has an idea like all writers the mid point tends to be the most draining. Here the music takes a more ominous sound as alcohol dominates the writing.
In Act three we find that the writer is passed out on the table but he wakes up to find that he has completed his screenplay and the music joins him in his happiness.
The film ends with a shot of the screenplay which for a small twist is the actual film that is being watched.
Cinematographer:
Jin Okubo
Producer:
Jin Okubo
Box Office:
$2,000 (estimated)
Editor:
Jin Okubo